Eat more veggies! The Benefits of Being a Vegetarian

The Vegetarian History

While no one knows the true beginning of vegetarianism, many believe the origin was long before recorded history. Forging for nuts and berries must have been easier than

hunting animals!

Nuts & Berries Rock!

Famous Vegetarians in History

• Pythagoras • Leonardo da Vinci• Benjamin Franklin• Albert Einstein• George Bernard

Shaw

Pythagoras was a Greek mathematician and until the word vegetarian was created, non-meat eaters were often called Pythagoreans!

Why Become a Vegetarian?

There are many different reasons people adopt a vegetarian lifestyle.

• Religion – some religions forbid the eating of all or some flesh.

• Ethical – the use of factory farming practices and the inhumane treatment of animals is on the rise.

• Health Effects – antibiotics and hormones are being used in factory farmed beef, poultry and pork.

• Economic Reasons – the price of meat continues to rise and other

sources of protein offer a more affordable source.

So Many Vegetarians!

Harvard Women’s Health Watch reports that there are six to eight million adults just in the

United States who are some form of vegetarian. Vegans, lacto-ovo vegetarians, ovo vegetarians and partial vegetarians all

have different standards but are all still considered vegetarians.

• Eggs• Dairy Products• Honey• Gelatin

• Gel capsules for medicines

• Film for cameras• Leather • Cosmetics or products

where animal testing has been utilized

Vegans have a very restrictive attitude and won’t eat anything that had a face! They don’t eat any meat or use any products derived from animals.

This includes:

Vegans are driven by a desire to lead a more compassionate and humane lifestyle.

Did you know…• Poultry is crammed into tiny cages.• Chickens have their beaks cut off to prevent stress

fighting in the small spaces they are forced to live in.• Animals are fed antibiotic laced feed and some are

slaughtered as early as two months old.

No animal should have to endure this treatment. Vegans want animals to live a healthy and happy life.

Other Types of Vegetarians

• Lacto-ovo vegetarians will not eat meat, poultry, fish or eggs but they do consume dairy products.

• Ovo vegetarians will not eat meat, poultry, fish or dairy products but may eat eggs.

• Partial vegetarians usually avoid all meat but may sometimes eat fish or poultry. They usually consume dairy and eggs in their diet.

A Healthy Vegetarian Lifestyle

What you need:

• Cookbooks• Vegetarian Blogs and

forums with other non-meat eaters.

• B-12 supplements – this vitamin is only found in animal products so a supplement is important.

Be aware…• Don’t become a “junk

food vegetarian”. Fried vegetables still have the unhealthy attributes of anything that is fried.

• Lentils, beans, soy and whole grains are a

vegetarian’s best friend.

The Benefits a Vegetarian May See

Lower Cholesterol

Blood Pressure Control

Lower Weight and BMI

Vegetarian Plate = Healthy Plate

In an effort to get away from our

fast food lifestyle many American’s

are trying a vegetarian regimen. As

the number of vegetarians rise, we

will see a decrease in many

illnesses and long term health

concerns. This movement is for

anyone who wants to live a longer,

healthier and improved life.